Trump Infrastructure Proposal is An Important Step Forward

But a final deal with Congress must fix the Highway Trust Fund

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today the American Highway Users Alliance (the Highway Users), a non-profit association representing the interests of motoring clubs, professional drivers and businesses that depend on good roads, congratulated the Trump Administration for releasing its infrastructure bill proposal. In particular, the Highway Users supports the President’s goal of substantially increasing total investment to improve our roads and cutting wasteful and time-consuming regulations.

“The President has moved the ball forward and now it’s time for Congress to transform this proposal into one that fixes the Highway Trust Fund and will result in significant, noticeable road and bridge improvements,” said Greg Cohen, President & CEO of the Highway Users.

“Ultimately, to earn strong public support, Congress must now take charge and hammer out a plan that can sustain highway investments over the long-term. Most critically, legislation must include a permanent fix for the ailing Highway Trust Fund – one that fully funds needed projects. Congressional leaders and the President must reach out to American drivers and explain clearly that a true transformation of our highway infrastructure will cost money. Small annual increases in fuel taxes or other equivalent user fees will be needed but worth the cost. Road repairs don’t happen for free and we should not add to the deficit to solve this problem.”

Cohen added, “Good roads cost money but bad roads cost more.”

Cohen also urged Congress to embrace regulatory reforms and spending transparency. “Even though we recognize that highway users must pay for the roads we use, we also demand that Congress clearly show that our money is not being wasted, projects are not delayed by regulatory overreach, funding is not kept in Washington for political appointees and bureaucrats to play with, and that revenue from motorists will be directly supporting performance-driven State plans to improve safety, move freight, and alleviate congested bottlenecks.”

The Highway Users supports a number of user-fee proposals to fully fund and grow the Highway Trust Fund, including a five-cent per year increase over five years and indexation of the fee to inflation and fuel economy as well as other options that raise equivalent levels of user fee funds.

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The American Highway Users Alliance represents motorists, RV enthusiasts, truckers, bus companies, motorcyclists, and a broad cross-section of businesses that depend on safe and efficient highways to transport their families, customers, employees, and products. Highway Users members pay the taxes that finance the federal highway program and advocate public policies that dedicate those taxes to improved highway safety and mobility.